Winter Steelhead in the Northwest
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In the Northwest, the rise and fall of river water levels more then any other factor determines the number of winter steelhead that are on the move. It will influence where they will be located, and determine which fishing method will produce the best results.
Float Fishing: Usually the best way to fish in low and slow moving river currents.
Being able to feel when a steelhead strikes is the secret to catching steelhead not only in the Northwest but also through out their range. However, a growing numbers of steelhead anglers are finding success by switching to their eyes. Float fishing will out-produce any other method when stream water levels are at their lowest and the water is crystal-clear. When fish hold in slow-moving water, it is extremely difficult to drift fish these area effectively. Float fishing is also a good way for fishing current edges or seams. These edges are a favorite place for steelhead to rest during their upstream migration.
Baitcasting reels combined with 9-to 10-foot medium-light or medium-power rods are the most popular. You may find that a spinning reel works better under certain conditions such as when casting light rigging. In addition, although monofilaments work, the super-lines, such as Fire-Line, float and make line mending easier. (Mending your line means that when the river current starts create bow in your line you pick up the line to remove this bow.)
You also need a selection of steelhead floats (long, thin types work best), split shot or egg sinkers, single hooks ranging in size m 2/0 to 2, and an assortment of jigs or baits. Although you can use cured salmon or steelhead egg clusters, many anglers employ a steelhead jig (this becomes necessary in crystal-clear water), or a scent-enhanced imitation egg cluster, steelhead worm or shrimp when the river has a little color.
When rigging, position the float so your bait rides two-thirds of the way to the river bottom. Since these fish typically lie in water five to eight feet deep, this will position your offering within easy reach, yet reduce hang-ups. Remember that fish cannot see below them.
Side Drifting or Back Drifting: from a boat is a good technique when fishing a river with medium to low flows.
Where boat access is available side, drifting is a popular way of presenting your bait. Anglers make parallel casts upstream of the drift boat or jet boat, while the operator backs the craft downstream at the same speed or a slightly slower speed of the river this way the line maintains an upstream angle.
Because you are moving with the current, it will typically take a small amount of weight to keep the bait near bottom. Many anglers employ a three to five shot slinky, one to three split shot or an inch of 1/8-inch pencil weight. Baits include small egg clusters, a drift-bobber like a Corky Drifter, and scented steelhead worms are becoming popular as well.
To facilitate easy casting and cushion the blows from hard-fighting fish, 9- to 10-foot light- to medium-power rod and reel outfit. You will want to use 10 to 12 pound monofilament line and 24 to 40 Inch fluorocarbon leaders the fluorocarbon lines are harder for the fish to see. When a steelhead hits, the bite is normally quite hard and requires little or no hook set. Using this technique the steelhead hook them self when they take the bait. You can just lift the rod up and start playing the steelhead.
Drift Fishing: This technique works best after rains when rivers are falling.
This drift fishing presentation works best in higher river flows; this is a good method to use when river levels are dropping after a rainstorm when the river starts to come back to a fishable condition. These conditions are when the winter steelhead is often the most abundant and mobile. The more fish you have on the move the better your chances of getting your line in front of ones nose.
Fishing from shore or a boat, you cast your rigged outfit, consisting of weight, 18 to 24 inch leader, drift bobber, imitation egg cluster or shrimp, across and slightly upstream. Since steelhead lie on or just off the bottom, use just enough weight so the rig taps the bottom every few yards. You do not want you bait to drag the bottom for two reasons one is that fish cannot see below them and the second is that if you are dragging the bottom you are going to be snagging all the time.
You will want to hold your rod tip about 25 to 30 degrees off the water and follow along you need to see and feel what is happening. Despite the fish’s strength and size, you can expect a bite to be nearly imperceptible. If your rigging stops or hesitates, or you notice that, your line makes a sudden yet gentle swirl set the hook hard.
Use a medium-to-medium-heavy, eight or eight ½-foot rod; combined with baitcasting reels and 10 to 15 pound line and do not forget the fluorocarbon leaders for this technique.
for the anglers but also for the fishery managers. Many of the other rivers around the state have seen good to great results the South Fork of the Clear water has seen some pretty impressive numbers or the last couple of weeks and the upper reaches of the Salmon River have been producing some nice results also. Where are the fish for the Little Salmon, no one really seems to know and since it is now past the middle of April, about all that is left for us to do is clean up our gear and put it away and wait until this fall in hopes of better numbers next year.